Abstract thinking is challenging for children, but maths and coding help them build this essential skill by teaching patterns, logic, and problem-solving in fun, structured, and accessible ways.
When children begin learning to code or solve mathematical problems, they’re not just picking up technical skills — they’re developing one of the most powerful abilities humans have: abstract thinking.
It’s also one of the hardest.
Coaches see this firsthand. A child knows what they want their game to do, but they can’t quite explain the logic. They understand the result, but struggle to break it into steps. They can imagine the final picture, but translating it into instructions is a whole different challenge.
And that’s exactly why it matters.
Abstract thinking is the ability to work with ideas rather than just literal, concrete objects. It’s thinking in terms of:
It’s the mental leap from solving equations using concrete numbers like 52 + 76 = 128 to seeing the relationship x + y = z.
Where concrete thinking is about what is right in front of us, abstract thinking deals with what we can’t see yet — possibilities, structures, patterns, and logic.
Because it’s supposed to be. Their brains are literally not ready yet. Abstract reasoning relies heavily on the prefrontal cortex — the area responsible for:
This region develops slowly and continues maturing into early adulthood. Manipulating symbols (like x, or imagining hypothetical paths) requires mental hardware they’re still building.
So children naturally start with concrete thinking. They understand what they can see and manipulate. If they can see it, hold it, or act it out → they get it. If it’s invisible, conceptual, or symbolic → their mental model collapses.
Here are somes examples to illustrate this:
Abstraction demands detaching ideas from real objects. It's a non-trivial cognitive leap. To think abstractly, a child has to:
In other words: it’s demanding. It stretches the brain. It demands a lot of working memory, and kids have far less working memory capacity than adults.
Coding and mathematics help kids develop abstract thinking because both subjects train the brain to move from concrete → symbolic → abstract reasoning in a structured, repeatable way.
They act like training wheels for abstraction: turning invisible ideas into tangible steps children can see, test, and adjust.
A maths problem or block of code demands clear, step-by-step thinking. Kids learn to:
This mirrors the exact cognitive process behind abstract reasoning: taking something complex and mentally organising it into a logical structure.
Maths introduces symbols like x, =, >, while coding introduces variables, conditions, and functions.
At first, these feel unfamiliar because nothing in the real world looks like this — but once kids start using symbols, they begin forming mental models without relying on physical objects.
That leap from “things” to “ideas” is abstract thinking in action.
Maths patterns: number sequences, shapes, operations
Coding patterns: loops, events, repeated behaviours
Children begin to recognise that if something works once, it can work again — and even be generalised into a rule. Pattern recognition is one of the core building blocks of abstraction.
“If I change this… that happens.”
Coding forces this type of clarity because a small mistake breaks the whole programme or game.
Maths works the same way: adjust one value and the entire equation changes.
Children learn that outcomes follow rules — not guesses, not feelings.
Debugging code or solving equations teaches kids that:
This cycle is exactly how abstract reasoning strengthens over time.
In short: maths gives children the language of logic, while coding gives them the playground to apply it.
Together, they strengthen the very skills the prefrontal cortex needs in order to grow.
Humans didn’t invent tools, art, science, or technology because we’re stronger or faster than animals.
We did it because we can think abstractly.
We can imagine possibilities, plan for the future, and see patterns that aren’t visible on the surface. When kids build games or debug code, they’re exercising the same type of thinking that powers engineering, science, music, and entrepreneurship.
Whether or not they become developers one day, this ability stays with them.
Abstract thinking is hard because it sits at the foundation of every advanced skill we value: creativity, problem-solving, innovation, logical reasoning, and the ability to work with ideas rather than just objects.
Maths and coding make this challenge fun, practical, and approachable. Both subjects give children a structured way to explore patterns, test ideas, work with symbols, and think in steps. These are exactly the skills their developing brains need.
So when your child struggles with a maths concept or gets stuck debugging code, it isn’t a setback. It’s a sign that their brain is stretching, strengthening, and growing.
Computational thinking isn’t about computers. It’s about how kids solve problems. At Skill Samurai, children learn to break problems down, recognise patterns, focus on what matters, and build clear steps, strengthening creativity, logic, and confidence.
Research shows children thrive when praised for effort rather than identity. Encouragement builds resilience, motivation, and a growth mindset—helping kids embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and develop confidence grounded in what they do, not who they “are.”
Programming teaches far more than coding. Kids develop problem-solving skills, creativity, resilience, and confidence that help them thrive in school and life. Here’s what coding truly unlocks.
